Chapter 287: Assassination Mission

Wendy shook her head in disbelief. "Impossible. There's no way mine is fake. Are you saying Ivy's items are all real?!"

Even now, Wendy couldn't resist dragging Ivy down with her.

The auctioneer standing nearby glanced at the authentication report. "That's correct. The Luminous Pearl provided by Ms. Cooper is indeed genuine. We invited the most renowned experts in mineralogy to verify it. This Luminous Pearl is authentic, and with remarkably few impurities, making it an exceptionally valuable treasure."

"Congratulations to Mr. Hale for acquiring the Luminous Pearl at four hundred million dollars."

As his words fell, excited murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Oh my God, the Luminous Pearl is actually real."

"Of course it's real. Think about it—the Cooper family represents the Green family. Why would the Green family risk their reputation with a fake? They'd have to be insane. So obviously everything Ivy brought is genuine!"

"Wow, if it's real, that just shows how powerful the Cooper family has become. To get their hands on something like this..."

At the auction, Wendy screamed hysterically. "Impossible! How could hers be real? Mine is the real one! The fake is hers—you've got it all wrong!"

Seeing Wendy's emotions spiraling out of control, the auction staff exchanged glances before gesturing to security guards to move forward.

"Lady Wendy, you provided us with a forged authentication certificate. We'll need to investigate, and you won't be released until you pay one hundred forty million dollars in compensation. Otherwise, we'll have to involve the police."

Wendy's face went deathly pale. She stared trembling at the stage, then collapsed weakly to the floor. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Ivy's calm expression.

"Impossible. How could this be? Ivy, how could yours possibly be real?"

Facing Wendy's accusation, Ivy turned her head coolly. "Sorry, but my item was always genuine. You just didn't believe it."

"The Cooper family is top-tier nobility. Why would we risk our reputation with a fake? But for your family—the Masons, a nobody family—to produce this fossil? Now that's shocking."

Ivy brushed off her sleeves with an icy air. "But instead of arguing with me, you should figure out how to come up with that one hundred forty million in compensation."

"Ivy, you—!"

Before Wendy could finish, security guards seized her arms and dragged her toward the exit.

The drama finally ended. But after the auction concluded, Ivy couldn't leave—collectors and socialites who'd missed out on her items blocked her path.

"Ivy, I had no idea your family possessed such incredible pieces. If you ever have more items to auction, please contact me directly. Here's my card—I'm one of New York's top collectors. I promise excellent prices."

A Neil collector had barely handed over his business card when someone shoved him aside, thrusting forward their own card eagerly. "Ms. Cooper, don't listen to him—he's a cheapskate. I'm New York's premier collector, and I pay generously. If you have anything else like the Luminous Pearl, contact me first."

Ivy hadn't planned on this networking, but to spread word about the Anso treasure even further, she shifted slightly toward a nearby livestream camera and smiled. "We do have some other pieces in our collection. We won't sell everything, but I'll keep all your cards. If I decide to sell, I'll contact you first."

Ivy collected the business cards and left the venue with her security detail. To keep Philip's presence hidden, all cameras had been positioned to avoid capturing him. If Philip and Ivy appeared together on camera, it might raise suspicions. Everyone at the auction had signed confidentiality agreements anyway—the organizers would pursue legal action against anyone who leaked information, creating serious trouble. So no attendee would disclose anything about today's event.

The online livestream only showed the auction items themselves, never revealing the true identities of bidders.

That's exactly why Ivy felt pleased. She walked out calmly with the business cards and climbed into the Rolls-Royce waiting at the entrance.

Inside the car, Philip's lips curved into a smile. "Ms. Cooper, you're truly remarkable. After that performance, Moss actually contacted me directly."

Ivy's mouth quirked up slightly. "The auction only publicizes the items online. Moss must have recognized the Luminous Pearl as part of the Anso treasure. After pursuing that treasure for years, seeing it suddenly surface in New York—of course he'd reach out to you immediately."

"After he completes your task, he'll probably try using your New York connections to get more information about Anso."

Philip nodded. "Everything's unfolding exactly as you predicted. We've successfully drawn Moss out. But he's asking what the job is, and I can't think of what task to give him."

After all, for a top-tier assassin like Moss, ordinary jobs would raise suspicion. But elite assignments typically meant one thing: killing someone.

The Green family didn't currently have anyone they wanted dead. They operated in both the underworld and legitimate spheres—their own mercenaries could handle most problems. They rarely needed outside assassins.

Ivy's lips curved upward. "That's simple. Just have him kill me."

Derek, who was driving, and Philip both reacted instantly, speaking in unison: "Absolutely not! No way—it's too dangerous!"

"That's right, Ms. Cooper. This would be far too risky. You may be an S-rank assassin, but we can't rule out Moss bringing backup. You'd be in serious danger. This absolutely cannot happen."

Ivy shook her head. "If I can't kill Moss, then no one else in this world can."

"Whatever task you propose, Moss will be suspicious. That being the case, we might as well have him come after me directly. It's more convenient and straightforward."

Despite her logic, Philip kept shaking his head. "No, Ivy. We'll find another reason, create a different assignment. As long as we can draw him out, that's enough."